River Continuum Concept

The River Continuum Concept explains how a river’s physical environment and its living organisms change from its headwaters to its mouth. In narrow, rocky upper sections, fast-moving water supports species adapted to high flow. Further downstream, the river widens, slows, and accumulates organic material, supporting different plant and animal communities. These shifts influence the food web, energy flow, and ecosystems along the river’s length. Essentially, the concept shows how a river’s structure and life are interconnected along its course, creating a continuous and predictable pattern of change from source to outlet.